A little help on size.

[paul5150]

Im a sophmore and am the starting SS on my varsity team. I am 5' 9'' 180 pounds. Heres my problem...i have a large build. I have big legs and pretty big stocky overall body size. Im going to not play football anymore so i can focus more on baseball. During the fall i was at around 190 pounds so ive lost around 10 pounds since then but havnt really gotten smaller. I want to get stronger this summer and offseason but i also want to get much smaller so i have more of the body type for MIF. The only problem is when i diet it will probably be harder to gain muscle. Right now i have descent power (1 homerun freshman year, 3 hr this year.) and my throw to 1st from SS was clocked at 84 mph. Im wondering what i should do about losing weight but also getting stronger at the same time.

Thanks

[TG Coach]

Im a sophmore and am the starting SS on my varsity team. I am 5' 9'' 180 pounds. Heres my problem...i have a large build. I have big legs and pretty big stocky overall body size. Im going to not play football anymore so i can focus more on baseball. During the fall i was at around 190 pounds so ive lost around 10 pounds since then but havnt really gotten smaller. I want to get stronger this summer and offseason but i also want to get much smaller so i have more of the body type for MIF. The only problem is when i diet it will probably be harder to gain muscle. Right now i have descent power (1 homerun freshman year, 3 hr this year.) and my throw to 1st from SS was clocked at 84 mph. Im wondering what i should do about losing weight but also getting stronger at the same time.

Thanks

Work on improving your strength, speed and agility. Then whatever your weight is, is what it will be. Don't concern yourself with the number.

[paul5150]

but what do college scouts think when they see a large, but short MIF?

[TG Coach]

but what do college scouts think when they see a large, but short MIF?


If you can get the job done, who cares. Now keep in mind several of the infielders recruited by a college team will also have been high school shortstops. At the next level there are two positions ... on the field and on the bench. Take any position on the field.

[Jake Patterson]

but what do college scouts think when they see a large, but short MIF?

They think, "Is he fast enough?"

[paul5150]

Thats one thing i really need to work on...my speed. Although i do have good range because im quick reacting to the balls hit, and i get good jumps when stealing...this year i was 11 for 13 on stolen bases in highschool. For my summer team i am 4-4 this year on stolen bases.

[Jake Patterson]

Thats one thing i really need to work on...my speed. Although i do have good range because im quick reacting to the balls hit, and i get good jumps when stealing...this year i was 11 for 13 on stolen bases in highschool. For my summer team i am 4-4 this year on stolen bases.

Here's are times scouts look for. (I believe I got this from Doug.)

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[paul5150]

thank you for those times.

[Ursa Major]

Actually, dude, you're about the same size as HiddenGem. I know he's very serious about his nutritional regimen. You might want to PM him for ideas.

But, I wouldn't worry that you have to look wiry to be a shortstop or second baseman. I think teams would love to have someone who's got the skill and speed attribute that they're looking for in a middle infielder, but the bone structure to have a little muscle to boot. Think of yourself as Honus Wagner, who had a barrel chested body type and is on the short list of greatest shortstops of all time.

[Jake Patterson]

Think of yourself as Honus Wagner, who had a barrel chested body type and is on the short list of greatest shortstops of all time.

When I met Mike Marshall I this past spring was very suprised at his size. Not many his size playing today.

[TG Coach]

When I met Mike Marshall I this past spring was very suprised at his size. Not many his size playing today.

Marshall was signed as an infielder. 5'9" is still short for an infielder, but it's incredibly short for a pitcher.

[Jake Patterson]

Marshall was signed as an infielder. 5'9" is still short for an infielder, but it's incredibly short for a pitcher.

I also had the privilege of working with Johnny Unitas years ago. He was also pretty small for the job he did. There are some photos of him in the book Johnny by Tom Callahan that show just how scrawney he really was.

[Jake Patterson]

Marshall was signed as an infielder. 5'9" is still short for an infielder, but it's incredibly short for a pitcher.

When I met him the first thing that came to mind was he is the only Major League pitcher I have ever met that I can look straight in the eye.

[hawkiirock]

maybe a 3b in the making?

what bodyfat % are you right now?

[TG Coach]

I also had the privilege of working with Johnny Unitas years ago. He was also pretty small for the job he did. There are some photos of him in the book Johnny by Tom Callahan that show just how scrawney he really was.

Things have changed so much. Quality high school athletes are built better than pros from thirty years ago. High school coaches emphasize off season training. Instead of playing three sports, the kids are in offseason training bulking up. When I was in high school the only offseason training was the football team lifting in the summer.